NJ2NC

You're in my prayers for a safe surgery and comfortable recovery. Just keep in mind.. Pain is easier to contol if you stay on top of it, so communicate with your nurses- ask questions, advocate for yourself, know what meds are available for pain, gas, nausea, etc and how often they are available. Don't be afraid to ask for ice, warm blankets, or help repositioning for comfort. It will all make a big difference 

Thank you, I'm staying on top of everything. I've had very little gas, no nausea and the soreness is maybe a 2 on a scale of 1-10 very manageable. Everyone at the hospital was great and encouraging.

NJ2NC- You had your surgery by now and I was wondering how you are feeling. I hope you are doing well and dealing with the gas stuff. Hang in there..in a day or two you will feel great ! Hope all is going well for you and a healthier/skinner you is just around the corner !

Melinda in Jacksonville

Yes I did have my surgery Tuesday morning..Day 2 isn't so bad. I haven't had any nausea and very little gas. Soreness is getting better I actually skipped a dose a pain medicine by accident. Guess I really didn't need it lol I'm taking it easy and walking a few times throughout the day, sipping Water and Protein shakes without issue. I feel great and have no regrets. I'm looking forward to a healthier and more active life!

Everyone is so supportive! thanks.

Hello everyone, I was told I did great in surgery no complications. I did stay the night..thank goodness for that the inclining bed was a life saver. I was afraid of how much soreness I would have post-op but I have to admit it was manageable, I did ask for pain meds several times tho. Walking was good seem to help a lot I walked the halls each time I was disconnected to use the restroom. Now I'm home on the couch with everything I need within an arms reach. Everyone is so supportive on this site. Thanks to you all.

Hello all..everything went great yesterday morning. I'm glad I spent the night. I'm home now resting and watching the boob tube. walking is no problem and pain is easing up some.

Thanks for all the support.

I wish you luck tomorrow, I have my operation on Thursday (1/19) and am in the same boat with you with the excitement.

Thank you...Good Luck to you too on Thursday!

Tomorrow morning I go in at 8:30am. I'm so excited I can barely relax. I've read so much on this forum and realized some people range from little discomfort to major pain post-op. I really hope I fall in the "little discomfort" category lol. I found out last week I definitely have to stay overnight due to sleep apnea I am beginning to think that is going to be a great thing..round the clock medication haha.

It's weird, I'm not worried about any steps of the surgical procedure but I am about post op pain. Go figure.

Keep me in your thoughts and prayers..

it already looks like your going to do wonderful youve got the right attitude and deturmined and your already loosing weight your on the right track with your journey! people that havent been in your shoes dont understand the aspects of it they ! its not all about getting skinny its so more then that and they dont understand and i know with me yes we all want to be skinny but realistically we want to feel better and live a healthier life and you are already focused and ready to roll ! cngrats and you are going to do wonderful and you will have some bumps on the way but if you can get over those bumps its all good good luck and God Bless

Thanks for the support! and God Bless you too..

Thanks ladies, I definitely know it is not a quick fix. I've told them plenty of times I'll be a the gym too! the weight won't magically go away without my hard work, but sometimes I think they forget that. I just keep telling myself to be strong especially since I was just asked today (jokingly I hope) about going to eat Japanese food from someone who know I can't. Luckily I'm not easily tempted and have no trouble saying NO.

Short and Chunky, I think you should change that name now 75lbs size 14 wow..that's great but what's fabulous is your normal blood pressure and sugar and all your other normal ranges!

I have a hard time picturing myself "thinner" but don't get me wrong i would LOVE to look in the mirror and say wow, I've really slimmed down LOL

Hello Everyone,

Tuesday Jan 17th is my big day to get banded I'm so excited it's been a long "well worth the wait" journey. In addition to my family I've shared my lapband journey with my closest friends and a few close co-workers. All through the journey everyone have been very supportive but now that I'm down to final week I'm hearing comments from people like "well I guess I better get to the gym now that you're gonna get all skinny" and "I've joined the gym so I can keep up with you" or "you really don't need a lapband if you stay on the diet you're on now (the pre-op diet)" and the best one yet is "don't get to sexy".

I'm not sure how take those comments and I know there will be more. Now I just laugh and say It's not a competition! Has anyone experienced any of these kind of remarks? How did you respond? Its truly not a vanity thing and as people in my closest circle should know but they now only see the 'skinny' aspect of it and not the improved health aspect, could they be possibly jealous?? Has anyone had friend issues since getting banded?

I'm at work and just read this thread...my co-workers (Who can only hear not see me) must think I have lost my mind and went off the deep I can not stop giggling..I just love this forum..I get banded next Tuesday Jan 17th and I'm finding some very interesting and worthwhile information on this site! my jaws are hurting from trying to suppress a loud giggle.. truth be told I would be very uncomfortable asking my male doctor that question..lol

I'm on day 8 of my 2-week pre-op diet, surgery is next Tuesday January 17th, I don't have to explain my excitement I'm sure you all know. So glad to hear everyone is doing well and/or have found strategies to help them feel better (I know I'll be on pain meds for a long time, I'm a wuss when it comes to pain). I'm doing pretty good on the pre-op diet down about 6 pounds so far. I'll admit my energy is a bit low right now..however that has done wonders for my long-time insomnia now I'm getting plenty sleep..so I guess the low energy could be looked at as a good thing. lol I like the Protein drinks and since I'm never been a big Breakfast eater until now I think they will become a permanent part in my post-op life to help balance my day.

Best Wishes Mish1908! I start the next phase of my life next Tuesday. I can relate to how you're feeling 100% Keep us updated.

HI Bri, my journey began in March of 2011. I went for my first approval in July but had an insurance requirement delay however I did received my approval in December and I get banded on January 17th. I'm on day 4 of my pre-op diet. The plan designed by the nutritionist isn't too bad I only get hungry if I go more than 4 hours without either drinking a Protein shake or eating my small meal. I get 3 Protein shakes a day and 2 small meals lots and lots of water/sugar free liquid.

Hopefully we can support each other through our challenging life changing journey..

Hi I am getting banded Monday! I am starting to get a little nervous! but very excited I am more nervous because i have heard people sayin they cant eat at all or food gets stuck. I dont want to not to be able to eat at all! but I am more excited than anything! any one else a January Bander?!

I'm getting banded on the 17th, right now I'm 4 days into my pre-op diet...so far so good.

Best Wishes to you..I have the same concerns but I pray all will be well.

Congrats sweetie!!! It has been a long time coming.

Thanks Coalminerswife23, it has been. I hope your approval comes through soon as well..

I am on day 4 of my 7 day pre-op liquid diet and not doing well at all. How mandatory is the 7 day liquid diet? I have drastically reducing the amount of solid foods. I'm doing liquid Protein with my coffee in the morning, chicken Noodle Soup for dinner, but have been eating campbell's Tomato Soup and a tuna sandwich with it for lunch. I get very dizzy when I do not eat a solid meal. I have really bad hunger pains that gives me chest pains when I do not eat. Replacing two meals I've found is easier but I must have something solid once a day. Is my surgery in jeoperdy?

I am on pre-op day 4 (banded on 1/17/12). I understand this is suppose to be a very very low carb diet no sugar diet to shrink the liver. I do 5 meals a day (3)protein shakes (always more than 15g of Protein and no more than 5g of carbs) and (2) low carb meals or a lean cuisine not Pasta based long as it's 300 calories or less and more than 14g of protein then the carbs are ok. The meat and veg meals usually have less carbs then most of the frozen meal varieties.

with that spaced out throughout the day and LOTS of Water I'm pretty satisfied.. and there are a few freebies I can munch on too (sugar free Jello, celery, etc.)

Good luck.

It appears all the programs require slightly different things. I was required to go to the Nutritionist as part of my program (I get banded on 1/17/12 - YaY). I was advised to take the following:

1. chewable Multi-Vitamin for adults (no gummies recommended)

2. Chewable Calcium Citrate w/ D3 - 1500mg/day (500mg pills spaced out morn/lunch/dinner)

3. Do not mix Multivitamins containing Iron with Calcium supplements (take 2 hours apart)

4. Do not substitute Tums (calcium carbonate) for your calcium

You may want to talk to your nutritionist or doctor to get what combination is right for you.

Are you staying over nite? I did not plan to, but i would NOT wake up, I stayed till morn then tried to go at 9 am- finally released at 12. I do not know if they will charge an additonal day or not as you can stay 23 hours lingering on your OUTpatient. I kept metioning the 23 hr thing and i was too groggy to say much more. So now lest see what the bill, will come to- if too much> PT job here I come. I was not selected for higher positions I had put in for. Maybe I need to apply in DC!

The Protein shakes keep you pretty satisfied- when do you start that?

If I have to stay overnight past the 24hour mark..I believe it will be another $150. Sorry to hear about that promotion hopefully something bigger and better is waiting for you down the line.

I haven't started my Protein Shakes, I go to the nutritionist next week to go over the pre-op diet but I have a good idea what it will be..either way it will start on the 3rd.

Yea it does, good luck!

Thanks Grider! Good luck to you too.

I've just gotten all my pre-op/post op appointments set, hospital co-pay fee paid (which was $150) and now all I have left is to wait 18 days and try not to get over anxious.

I'm sure with the lab work, and pre-op visits I'll be hit with a few additional bills. I'll be sure to add them all up and post the total cost so others (like myself) who's researching out of pocket cost with Fed Basic will at least know what I paid.

Why so much? Basic is $75.00 at hospt and i was given a discount if i paid at pre-op I said SURE and paid like $56. My surgeon will bill me my $150 and the hospital will then submit to the insurance co and see what they will pay then I can see what I can pay after that. Unless you have a prior wls and other things need to happen. You need to call FEPBLUE, it should be same for all of us. there is no deductible with Basic. being you starting in a new year. I was banded Dec 22, in FL. but fepblue is same for all of us.

Fed BCBS-North Carolina (Basic) has a $150 per surgeon co-pay (I'll have a surgeon and assistant surgeon = $300) The hospital hasn't called me but I'm sure the facility is a $75 co-pay. But Hey, I'll pay early if they offer me a discount every little bit helps!!!

Just following up..I did change from Standard to Federal BCBS Basic!! I hope it works out ok. Also, I received my approval YAY! I'm scheduled to get my band Jan 17th..What a great way to start the New Year!! and so far I'm required to pay $300 I'm about to call and find out my co-pay for the hospital.

Congratulations!!!

I'm still waiting.. Think I ran into a little snag but hopefully I'll have some news today or tomorrow.

a little more than 4 Months later, completed my supervised physician weight loss requirement, paperwork and appeal letter sent. I GET BANDED JANUARY 17TH !!! excited, nervous and grateful all rolled up into 1 big ball of emotion!

Thanks everyone for your support.

OUCH...I have federal BCBS Basic and I paid $100 for the surgeon and $100 for the facility.......and then $100 for each fill. (pre op visits were $35) Course that was all in 2009...and prior to the sleep apnea testing, etc, that I hear they require now.

I am very thankful to have my gov't insurance as I was able to get my tubes tied and a hernia repaired at the same time as my lapband and it only cost me an extra $100 for the OBGYN to be there. Woot woot! Being a federal employee has it's perks!

Kim, I'm thinking of changing my federal BCBS Standard Plan to Basic for 2012. It looks as the though the charges are similar (however higher since 2009, now its $150). I also see a 30% for medical equipment and understand the band itself is considered equipment but I have no idea of the cost of the band here.

I'm having the hardest time just nailing down an estimate of this surgery with insurance. NC BCBS couldn't even give me an answer when I asked about my current standard plan. I doubt they'll have any better answers with asking about a plan I don't even have yet.

Well hopefully my final paperwork is off for approval, I'll be checking on that in just a few minutes.

Hi all, I'm in the middle of Open Season. I currently have fed BCBS Standard and looking to change to BASIC for 2012. I just finished my 3rd supervised weightloss appointment and know by the time approval (hopefully) rolls around and surgery scheduled it will be 2012. I'm really trying to figure out which insurance will be the most beneficial with out of pocket costs. I just want to make sure I put enough in my flexible spending plan. All the Dr's are preferred and the hospital is a Blue Distinction Center. I have until the 12th to make my final decision. How much did everyone end up paying pay??

I just got approved!!! I'm so excited that my co-workers think I've gone off the deep end!! Called the surgeon, and I'll get banded 9/15!

Congratulations!!!

I'm still waiting.. Think I ran into a little snag but hopefully I'll have some news today or tomorrow.